Alabama

Budapest a blend of old and new and fun

Budapest at nightThere is Buda and there is Pest. They are on either side of the Danube in Hungary and together they make up a very interesting place. On the hilly side, Buda, the castle looms over the landscape. On the flat side, Pest, modern hotels have sprung up and restaurants have proliferated. The streets are full of people, day and night. Two million live here.

Just over 20 years ago, the place was controlled by the Communists. Before that, the Romans, Magyars, Mongols, Ottomans and various others have ruled. Unlike Prague, the subway still looks like the Soviet era. But it works well and is cheap and fast. At night, the city is alive with lights. We took a little cruise on the river at night and it was amazing to see the buildings and monuments and bridges lit up.

We have transitioned from the euro to the Hungarian forint. One dollar equals 210 forints. It's not that hard to calculate when you get used to it. Everything seems to be pretty inexpensive here.